Fairway Center Update: What’s new?

What’s happening with the old bakery? And on the corner?

Since the 1970’s, Fairway Shopping Center has been a key player in Lynden’s retail economy. Much has changed over the years – many will remember that only a decade ago a Chevron gas station stood where the Woods Coffee under the windmill is now. A J.C. Penney store for many years occupied the present Ace Hardware location, and much of the North County Christ the King Church property was for many years a grocery store.

The Fairway Center was started by Harold and Sarah Kooy, and is now primarily managed by their son Byron Kooy. Many have wondered what exactly is going on with the old ‘Doris Jean Bakery’, and what’s happening in the corner spot next to Marta’s Cocina that for many years was part of Time Keepers.

Today we have an update for you on both of these fronts:

Marta’s Cocina is expanding, and the NEW Lynden Dutch Bakery AT FAIRWAY CENTER is still (hopefully) coming soon!

Marta’s Cocina expanding

Marta’s Cocina (Mexican restaurant) is expanding in a portion of the old Time Keepers spot on the corner. Like the old bakery spot, the windows have been covered in paper since Time Keepers vacated that portion of the shopping center. However, in recent weeks the lights have been on and equipment running late into the night.

The expansion will add about 50 seats, along with a full bar and new restrooms. They plan to offer a Happy Hour with deals on drinks and good appetizers, and hope to be open in around three weeks, or mid-December.

Marta and her business partner Leo were kind enough to let us in to take a few photos of the progress.

A couple of employees pause from painting the interior of the expanding Marta’s Cocina. The new bar is on the right.

A cutout window seat will provide a view toward Front Street.

A large cutout in the wall between the new and current restaurant space will allow diners to pass freely between either section.

The new bar will have traditional at-the-bar seating options.

Marta, Leo and team look forward to launching their newly-expanded restaurant to the community; stay tuned on ourLynden for more details and perhaps even a special deal!

Lynden Dutch Bakery: still coming soon

Indeed the Lynden Dutch Bakery is working on opening their second location in town at the spot of the old ‘Doris Jean Bakery’ (formerly Davy Sue’s Bakery, and others). For many months after word got out about this, the windows remained covered in paper, prompting many to wonder if they would ever be able to eat a sweet treat in this spot again. In recent weeks, progress has been made on building out the front of the location to match the next-door Fairway Cafe’s glass-covered seating area. Lights have been on at night with workers going in and out, so it appears progress is being made.

“Hopefully before the end of the December” is when they hope to open, after many unexpected changes and delays pushed the opening back from an initial plan of ‘Summer 2015’ as the sign on the front door still reads.

Zach, who ran Doris Jean’s Bakery for some time, will continue to be at the location, which plans to serve donuts and other sweet treats, but will likely have less breads offered than the downtown Lynden location. They have other special plans in mind to make this a special and unique location.

Joel grew up in Lynden, attended Lynden High School, then moved to Seattle to study business at Seattle Pacific University, where he met his wife Lindsey. After 8 years in Seattle, Joel and Lindsey moved back to Lynden in 2013. Joel is the founder of ourLynden and Borderview International, and serves on the Lynden Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors [ourLynden is not directly affiliated with the Chamber]. Joel and Lindsey make their church home at Calvary Creekside on the Badger. Their son Jude Hanson VanderHoek was born in 2017. "Lynden is home and we love it!"